Portable sample carpet holder



4 Sheecs-Shee'rl 1 r a r INVENTOR ffauV Hon/A120 ATTOQNEY May 25, 1965 F. HOWARD PORTABLE SAMPLE CARPET HOLDER Fil'ed July 9, 1964 PRIOR ART May 25, 1965 F. HOWARD 3,185,308

PORTABLE SAMPLE CARPET HOLDER Filed July 9, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -jaii/ E! Fig. 32

I N VEN TOR. FP50 HOW/IPD WMM May 25, 1965 F. HOWARD PORTABLE SAMPLE CARPET HOLDER 4 Sheets-She'ec 3 Filed July 9, 1964 INVENTOR. FPL-'D HOWA 2D May 25, 1965 F. HOWARD 3,185,308

PORTABLE SAMPLE CARPET HOLDER Filed July 9, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NVEN TOR. ,1f/25D #UWA /20 5g/ww@ A TTD-@N5 Y United States Patent 3,185,308 PQRTABLE SAMPLE CARPET HQLDER Fred Howard, New York, NX., assignor to Howard Accessories, Inc., New York, NX., a corporation of New York Filed July 9, 1964, Ser. No. 381,299 9 Claims. (Cl. 211-45) This invention relates to an article holding device and is particularly directed to a portable sample carpet holder for transporting and displaying carpet samples and similar articles or merchandise.

Salesmen when displaying and transporting pile carpet samples, use a portable hand-carrying holder which carries a bolting arrangement whereby a plurality of samples or carpet swatches are placed or piled on top of each other and held to the holder by the placement of a boltlike member through each and every sample. This means the cutting of dual holes in each carpet sample to assure the retention thereof to the holder. Whenever a particular sample is to be removed and/ or replaced the bolting arrangement requires the removal of all the samples preceding the sample selected for removal. This same procedure is involved if a new and/or additional sample is to be inserted.

Because the samples are bolted together in a pile-up or stocked arrangement, in demonstrating and presenting the samples for viewing purposes, the extent and area of view becomes progressively smaller as the number of samples lifted increases so that the full and aesthetic view of the sample is avoided. Further, because of the very nature of the article holder, only a limited number of samples per holder can be accommodated; hence, no liexibility in increasing the samples for showing and demonstrating.

It is therefore one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a portable article holder which permits the removal and addition of articles from and to the holder independently of those articles already carried by the said holder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable sample article holder capable of being expanded or reduced in size to accommodate changes in the number of samples held and/or transported.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable article holder which is simple in design and construction, economical, easily transportable, rugged and provides easy access for removal and addition of articles.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

FIG. l shows a portable sample carpet holder presently used in the trade.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a single extrusion track member forming a part of the portable sample carpet holder of my invention, showing said member holding a single carpet swatch according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a single extrusion track member forming a part of the portable sample carpet holder of my invention, showing said member holding two carpet swatches according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of FIG. 3 with the carpet swatches removed.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality of single extrusion channel members attached to each other to form a single integrated unit, a portion of one of said members being broken away for clarity.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable sample holder of my invention with a plurality of track members held together by bands supporting a holder grip member.

ICC

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable sample holder according to another embodiment of the invention, certain of the swatches being shown with portions removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly of two mu1- tiple-channel units constituting another embodiment of my invention, each of the units being extruded as a single unitary member, a handle member being shown operatively attached thereto.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the holder of FIG. 8, without the handle and with one of the units removed.

FIG. lO is an end view of the holder of FIG. 8 when hung up to a side wall and operatively supporting a plurality of swatches in cascade effect.

The invention in general comprises a plurality of elongated extruded channel-like members having inwardly protruding flanges extending at the ends of the channel sides, the said members being each attached to each other to form an integrated unit. The carpet samples are inserted into the channel members and firmly held therein by the said tlanges when in contact with the piling of the carpets. The completed and integrated unit is held and transported by the attachment of a handle to the top side of the said unit. This arrangement provides a deiinite improvement over the prior sample holders, as shown in FIG. 1. In this particular ligure a carrying case A carries a plurality of carpet samples B each piled on top of each other and fastened to the holder by bolts C passed through a series of holes cut in respective carpet samples. As shown, when a plurality of carpets are elevated to demonstrate a particular sample, the area D exposed is a fraction of the total area of the sample, so that the true eiect of a large area is lost.

Now describing the invention in greater detail with respect to the various figures shown, the invention in particular comprises a channel-like extruded member 1 having extended sides 2 and 3 and inwardly protruding anges 4 and S emanating therefrom. In FIG. 2, one of the anges 4 protrudes to a greater extent than flange 5, according to one embodiment of the invention to permit the accommodation and retention of a single pile like carpet sample 6. As shown, the carpet sample 6 is composed of a base 7 and attached piles 8 woven and constructed in the usual way. The carpet sample 5 is inserted into the channel extrusion 1 so that the piling thereof substantially surrounds, clings and adheres to the elongate protruding flange 4, while the back or support side of the carpet piling rests in a snug-like fashion against the shortened protruding flange 5. The combination of the llanges and the piling, and the fact that the piling is resilient and creates certain spring-like forces against the carpet and flanges, permits the retention of the said carpet within the channel members in a substantially iirm and upright manner without any need for additional support for retention purposes.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a channel-like extruded member 9 similar to that shown in FIG. 2 except that the flange protrusions 10 and 11 extending inwardly at the extremities lof channel sides 12 and 13, respectively, are of equal length, according to another embodiment of the invention. In particular the anges 10 and 11, whose lengths transverse the channel length are equal, permit the acceptance, accommodation and retention of a pair of back-to-back carpet samples 14 and 15. Here again the piling of the respective carpets completely surrounds, clings and adheres of the protruding flanges in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the flanges 10, 11 have their exit and entrance portions 16, 17 curved and smoothed to provide easy and convenient access to the extruded channel.

It is to be noted that, 'in the preferred construction shown, the pile-engaging ange 4 of FIG. 2 and flanges 3 and 11 of FIG. 3 taper inwardly from their respective :sides to fine edges 4a, 10a and 11a, to enable said anges to readily penetrate the mass of piles.

As previously stated, one of; the objectives'of the invention is to provide a sample holder which can be altered to change the number of samples carried. FIGS. 5 and 6 show how this can be attained. In particular, each of the extruded channel members Ztl has attached thereto at their opposite extremities along a single channel side a a spring-like clamp or clip 21 (the drawings showing only the clips at the ends 2lb). The channel members are then attached to each other by bringing the respective channel sides 22 into engagement with the said clip-carrying sides 20a, thereby producing a unitary assembly 23 of the attached members.

FIG. 6 shows the assembly 24 firmly united by the strapping means 25, the latter having two pairs of end clamps 26, Z7 and 28, 29 suitably secured to the opposite end members 20a and 2Gb in the regions of their respective laterally opposite extremities. The said clampsI have elongated horizontal slits 3G through which extend the respective straps 31 and 32 which when tensioned permit the channel members 20 to become bonded together, to form a single completed integrated unit. A holding grip is employed with the carpet holder shown in FIG. 6, comprising an elongated base 35 carrying the slotted retainer members 36, 3'7 and 38, 39 for receiving the respective straps 3i and 32.V Mounted to the said base is a grip-like U-shaped handle for holdingand transporting the carpet holder. It can be seen that the base is free to move longitudinally along the strap members so as to enable the handle to be moved into an optimum balanced position upon any cha-nge or variation in the number of channel members making up the completed carpet holder.

The embodiments above described relate to portable sample carpet holders useful for display purposes by traveling sales people. The embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. 7 is especially adapted for use in large stores and/or warehouses for displayand storage purposes. In particular the completed carpet holder 45 formed from the single extrusions as heretofore explai-ned may be made as a large structural item disposed to accommodate and retain regular large carpets as sold in the trade. The same advantages relative to display and replacement will be apparent in this particular arrangement as discussed previously.

In FIGURE 9 there is shown another embodiment of the invention which particularly refers to a single extruded member 46 having a plurality of the channels previously described. The extruded member can have any combination of such channels depending upon the cost factor and feasibility of producing the proper dies and/ or forms. 47 and 48 thereof longitudinally oriented tongue and groove portions 49 and S0 for providing alignment of additional extruded units when building up an assembly of said units. The extruded units may be made of plastic or any other similar type material which is available. The said channels comprising the extruded u-nit have protrudng flanges 51, 52 similar to those heretofore described. Although the said extruded member 46 shows a six-channel array it is possible to extrude any plurality of channels depending upon the use to which the said member is to be put. It has been found that combinations of three and six extruded members provide considerable flexibility in building up the necessary array for display purposes.

FIGURES 9 and l0 show a sample holder comprising dual extruded units 54 and 55, each a six and three channel array respectively. It can be seen that the units 54 and 55 are assembled by aligning the groove 56 of unit 54 with the tongue 57 of unit 55, the two units then .being bonded together by strap members 58 and 59 straddling the said units in a transverse fashion. The said straps 58 and 59 are bonded by any suitable adhesive means to the The extruded member 46 has at the extremitiesV saidV units. One such convenient way would be merely ,to heat the combined straps and units, if plastic, so that they `form a single solid unitary bond. The straps 58, 59 are suitably provided with apertures 60, 61 at their central portions for the placement of a gripping handle 62, the said handle being free to rotate or move relative to the said apertures. Y

FIGURE 10 shows the sample holder of FIGURE 8, conveniently placed upon a suitable support hanging along a side wall to permit the sample carpets 63 to hang down in a cascade type fashion for convenient and attractive display.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a holder for carpet samples, a member of channel-like configuration comprising two spaced sides, connecting means therebetween, and flanges extending inwardly towards each other from said respective sides, the innermost edges of said flanges being in spaced relation and positioned operatively to engage therebetween one or more selected carpet samples, at least one of said flanges tapering from its supporting Wall inwardly to a relatively thin edge, whereby the `operative penetration of said last-mentioned iiange into the mass of piles in the adjacent engaged carpet will be facilitated.

2. In a holder for carpet samples, a member of channeit-like configuration comprising two spaced sides, connecting means therebetween, and flanges extending inwardly towards each other from said respective sides, the innermost edges of said flanges being in spaced relation and positioned operatively to engage .therebetween one or more selected carpet samples, said flanges being of unequal widths, the wider of said flanges tapering from its supporting wall to a relatively thin inner edge, whereby the operative penetration of said last-mentioned flange into the .mass of piles in the adjacent engaged carpet will be facilitated.

3. In a holder for carpet samples, a member of channel-like configuration compri-sing two spaced sides, connecting means therebetween, and flanges extending inwardly towards each other from said respective sides, the innermost edges of said anges being in spaced relation a-nd positioned operatively to engage therebetween one or more selected carpet samples, said flanges being of equal Widths, each of said flanges tapering from its supporting wall to a relatively thin inner edge, whereby .the operative penetration of said flanges into the mass of piles in the adjacent engaged carpets will be facilitated.

4. In a holder for carpet samples, a plurality of memr bers of channel-like configuration each comprising two spaced sides, connecting means therebetween, and anges extending inwardly towards each other from said respective sides, the innermost edges of the flanges of each of said members being in spaced relation and positioned operatively to engage therebetween one or more selected carpet samples, said members being arranged laterally in a single array in parallel relation with adjacent sides in abutting engagement, and means securing said members together to form a unitary structure.

5. In a holder for carpet samples, the combination according to claim 4, and alignment means holding said members aligned in a single array.

6. In a holder for carpet samples, the combination according to claim 4, said securing means having a plurality of clips each being affixed to one side of one of said members and being proportioned and positioned for removable engagement with the adjacent side of the adjacent member.

7. In a holder for carpet samples, the combination according to claim 4, and supporting means comprising slotted clamp means secured to the opposite extreme end members, strap means extending through said slotted clamp means and transversely across said members, and handle means comprising a base member extending longitudinally over said channel-shaped members, slotted retaining means extending upwardly from said base members and in slidable embracing engagement with said strap means, and a handle attached to said base member.

8. In a holder for carpet samples, a plurality of unitary extruded members each comprising a plurality of channellike compartments each having two spaced sides and flanges extending inwardly towards each other from said respective sides, the innermost edges of the anges of each of said compartments being in spaced relation and positioned operatively to engage a selected carpet sample, said members being arranged in a single array with the compartments of said members in parallel relation, and means securing together said members.

9. In a holder for carpet samples, a unitary extruded member comprising a plurality of channel-like compartments each having two spaced sides and flanges extending inwardly towards each other from said respective sides, the innermost edges of the ilanges of each of said compartments being in spaced relation and positioned operatively to engage a selected carpet sample, the flanges of each of said compartments being of unequal widths, the wider of said flanges being proportioned for penetrating the mass of piles in the adjacent engaged carpet sample.

Rettet-fences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,021,358 3/12 Dougherty 211-48 1,135,310 4/15 Memmler 211-46 1,546,249 7/25 Pfous 40142 2,812,067 11/57 Gussack 211-46 References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,519,045 12/ 24 Panko. 2,426,356 8/ 47 Kelly. 2,709,618 5 /55 Melville. 2,709,619 5 5 5 Melville. 2,875,934 3/59 Barg. 2,895,604 7/59 Schwartz. 2,946,454 7/60 Asher. 3,078,020 2/ 63 Boonstra.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A HOLDER FOR CARPET SAMPLES, A MEMBER OF CHANNEL-LIKE CONFIGURATION COMPRISING TWO SPACED SIDES, CONNECTING MEANS THEREBETWEEN, AND FLANGES EXTENDING INWARDLY TOWARDS EACH OTHER FROM SAID RESPECTIVE SIDES, THE INNERMOST EDGES OF SAID FLANGES BEING IN SPACED RELATION AND POSITIONED OPERATIVELY TO ENGAGE THEREBETWEEN ONE OR MORE SELECTED CARPET SAMPLES, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FLANGES TAPERING FROM ITS SUPPORTING WALL INWARDLY TO A RELATIVELY THIN EDGE, WHEREBY THE OPERATIVE PENETRATION OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED FLANGE INTO THE MASS OF PILES IN THE ADJACENT ENGAGED CARPET WILL BE FACILITATED. 